According to a report from Football League World, Marti Cifuentes faces the LCFC sack in spite of zero funds on Filbert Way. They suggest three interesting yet polarising candidates for the not yet vacant role.
Marti Cifuentes
Cifuentes' tenure at King Power Stadium appears to be increasingly fragile as the outfit grapple with a lacklustre English Football League Championship campaign. In spite of arriving with a reputation for tactical ingenuity and flexibility, the Catalonian has struggled to galvanize the LCFC side.
"Nevertheless, the consensus stands that Cifuentes hasn't managed to get the best out of talented players such as Stephy Mavididi, Abdul Fatawu, Ricardo Pereira, and Harry Winks this season, and could well lose his job sooner rather than later if form doesn't improve."FLW
A squad burdened by the apparent weight of high expectations and a looming Financial Fair Play penalty (PSR punishment). Reports constantly suggest that mid-table mediocrity and dissatisfaction has exhausted the patience of the Leicester hierarchy. Supposed insiders claim that a decision to move on from Cifuentes is a matter of 'when' rather than 'if'. Yet finance dictates a lack of Foxes fury at present.
Will Still
FLW declare Still a primary candidate. The young tactician, who recently departed Southampton after a brief as well as challenging stint, remains one of the most intriguing names in European coaching. A meteoric rise on the continent due to a data-driven approach and youth to the game gave a mystique.
Still's availability presents an opportunity for the Foxes to reset with a long-term project. One that would arguably offer the modern, high-energy identity the club has lacked since its Premier League exit. Though this outlet view this opportunity with skepticism.
Ralph Hasenhüttl
A more seasoned, realistic and possibly safer alternative is probably Ralph Hasenhüttl. Yet another one-time Saints boss; who has been out of work since leaving VfL Wolfsburg last year. Known for his aggressive, front-foot philosophy, the Austrian offers a "Red Bull style" structure that could rapidly transform Leicester’s defensive transition.
Maybe that factor would unlock Patson Daka as a speedy scorer! While the German's high-risk tactics famously led to heavy defeats in the past (most notably against Leicester itself in the 9-0 defeat on October 25, 2019) his experience in rebuilding clubs and navigating top-flight pressures makes him a heavy-duty contender for the role.
Mark Robins
Rounding out FLW's shortlist is a figure woven into the East Midlands team's history: Mark Robins. Currently at the helm of Stoke City, Robins has seen his stock rise following years of overachievement in the lower leagues. Though he was dismissed at Coventry City not long ago.
As a former Foxes striker himself, his return would be viewed as an acceptable move designed to restore a sense of pride and stability. His ability to build cohesive, resilient teams on a restricted budget aligns perfectly with Leicester’s current financial constraints. This could make him a pragmatic, and conceivably popular choice among the majority of the faithful.